Featured in The Red Door Mid-January 2008

IT’S FLU SEASON ONCE AGAIN

Each year in the United States about 5 – 20% of the population gets the flu.  Each year about 36,000 people die from the flu.  The flu (influenza) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  It is not a severe cold.  The course of the illness can range from mild to severe.  Although most healthy people recover from the flu without any complications, some people, such as the elderly, young children and people with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease are at a higher risk for severe complications.  The flu spreads from person to person by droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.  It can also be spread by touching something with the virus on it and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes. 

The best way to protect yourself and others against the flu is to get the flu vaccine each year.  Since the flu virus mutates from year to year, the vaccine from one year is not effective the next year.  The flu vaccine is recommended for all persons over the age of 50 and other persons with certain medical conditions.  The concern for getting the flu from the flu vaccine is unfounded. There may be mild symptoms after receiving the vaccine such as soreness at the injection site and/or malaise (overall feeling of just not “up to par” for a couple days).   There are two types of vaccines: (1) the “flu shot”, approved for persons over 6 months of age; and (2) the nasal-spray flu vaccine approved for healthy persons 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant. It is best to receive the vaccine in October or November although it is never too late in the season to get the vaccine since flu season can extend in to April or May.

Antiviral medications can be used for prevention or treatment.  They may be given to a person who has been exposed to someone who is ill.  They are about 70-90% effective for prevention.  If you have the flu, your doctor may recommend the use of antiviral medication to help treat it.  The medication helps to shorten the length of the illness.  These medications are prescription and you should consult your doctor about their usage.  Antiviral treatment must be initiated within 2 days of the illness so seek treatment early if you have flu like symptoms.

There are other health measures to help prevent the spread of other respiratory illnesses, not just the flu.  Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and then throw the tissue away.  You can also turn your head in to your upper arm when you cough or sneeze.  Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze, use the lavatory and before you eat.  Running your hands quickly under water is not sufficient for removing germs.  You must scrub with soap.  You may use an alcohol-based hand cleanser if soap and water is not available.  Avoid contact with people who are sick. Try not to touch your mouth, nose, or eyes since germs are often spread through these mucus membranes.

Flu Symptoms:  Usually influenza starts suddenly.  The following symptoms may be present.  Fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, cough, sore throat, rhinitis (runny nose), and body aches.

Taking care of yourself when you have the flu - rest, drink plenty of fluids, avoid using alcohol or tobacco, take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu.  Never give aspirin or aspirin related medications such as Advil to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, especially a fever because of the danger of Reye’s syndrome (a whole other topic).

Information from http://www.cdc.gov/flu